Youta Kaertakun feeds reindeer at Olguya town in Genhe, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. China Daily
Youta Kaertakun, 37, Ewenki from Olguya, Inner Mongolia autonomous region
My mother is Ewenki. She embodies the Ewenki spirit with her strength and determination. She's incredibly resilient and never gives up easily. While she may not express affection in soft, conventional ways, she's capable of managing a herd of reindeer all by herself. Her character is marked by a tenacity that's truly remarkable.
The Ewenki have a unique way of expressing their emotions, often doing so directly. They gather to drink, share empathy, laugh and cry together. My mother possesses this natural empathy and compassion, a gift from nature itself.
I recall my childhood when we lived in a tent in the mountains. It was freezing outside, and I was crying for some reason. To teach me a lesson, my mom picked me up by the leg and tossed me outside into the cold. I crawled back inside, and my grandmother scolded her for lacking patience.
Our home was a simple tent with a thin felt covering and a fire in the middle. I often slept beside my grandmother, and she would stay up all night tending the fire in the iron stove.
As we lay by the stove, our faces would become so hot and I felt like they were cracking. So we'd turn over to cool down, only to get cold again. We'd continue turning back and forth like this. Now, we live in two-story houses, and life has changed significantly.
We are sincerely grateful for the development and opportunities we've received.
We aim to showcase the vibrant and positive spirit of the Ewenki to the world. We possess a strong, positive attitude. Our elders, deeply rooted in the past, have instilled in us a profound sense of ethnic identity.
I wish for everyone to see us as a whole, both the optimistic and the more reserved Ewenki. This complete emotional picture allows others to better understand our ethnic identity.
Our ethnic emotions are deeply ingrained in our genes, especially our connection to the reindeer.
While we embrace new knowledge, we remain committed to our ethnic responsibilities and spirit. Our diversity is what makes us unique. We are dedicated to preserving our culture like reindeer herding and birch bark art and maintaining a harmonious and united community.
Youta Kaertakun spoke with Li Hongyang.
Contact the writer at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
